Cracked radiator cost
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From: Whitehall
Cracked radiator cost
What will/should a shop be charging to replace a cracked radiator?
Its a Automatic 3.0L v6 4wd...
also has a cracked frame not sure if they will be willing to weld a plate onto it, thoughts?
Its a Automatic 3.0L v6 4wd...
also has a cracked frame not sure if they will be willing to weld a plate onto it, thoughts?
Welcome to the forum
Repairs are based on shop labor chargers in your area, which vary widely, from $50/hour to $150/hour
To drain and replace radiator(they can NOT be repaired), and then refill and pressure test, I would expect 1.5 hour shop time + parts
New radiator can be $125 to $225
Coolant $35 usually
This is something you can do with minimum tools and experience
Frame repair can be very expensive, usually its not just welding on a plate, it cracked for a reason, and when you find the reason it needs to be repaired and then frame is tested for 4-wheel alignment, pulled/pushed into correct position and then repaired/welded
A shop has to warranty work and also answer for any on the road failures if they do the work
You can often find a welder who will patch a frame for minimum cost, and off you go at your own risk, that's your choice
Repairs are based on shop labor chargers in your area, which vary widely, from $50/hour to $150/hour
To drain and replace radiator(they can NOT be repaired), and then refill and pressure test, I would expect 1.5 hour shop time + parts
New radiator can be $125 to $225
Coolant $35 usually
This is something you can do with minimum tools and experience
Frame repair can be very expensive, usually its not just welding on a plate, it cracked for a reason, and when you find the reason it needs to be repaired and then frame is tested for 4-wheel alignment, pulled/pushed into correct position and then repaired/welded
A shop has to warranty work and also answer for any on the road failures if they do the work
You can often find a welder who will patch a frame for minimum cost, and off you go at your own risk, that's your choice
Last edited by RonD; Aug 1, 2021 at 01:13 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 18
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From: Bellingham, WA.
If you take the time to learn how to change a radiator yourself you will save a lot of money over your lifetime.
Most of the time I can get a brand new radiator for 60-150 dollars on ebay, but if you buy one at a shop expect double that plus their labor.
You will also need a couple gallons of anifreeze, distilled water, and some transmission fluid as some will be lost in the swap.
Watch a few videos on youtube and then make your decission on if you can do it.
I always found that buying the tools and a work manual was not only cheaper, but in the long haul you may have better skills than most shops.
If the cracked frame referrence was on the radiator itself then a new one fixes that, but if you were referring to the steel frame under the engine then you will need to get a body shop look at it and see if it can be repaired.
Most of the time I can get a brand new radiator for 60-150 dollars on ebay, but if you buy one at a shop expect double that plus their labor.
You will also need a couple gallons of anifreeze, distilled water, and some transmission fluid as some will be lost in the swap.
Watch a few videos on youtube and then make your decission on if you can do it.
I always found that buying the tools and a work manual was not only cheaper, but in the long haul you may have better skills than most shops.
If the cracked frame referrence was on the radiator itself then a new one fixes that, but if you were referring to the steel frame under the engine then you will need to get a body shop look at it and see if it can be repaired.
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